statements were made, reflecting even on the wisdom of the Creator. The name by which they
are still distinguished is calculated to perpetuate
these erroneous opinions, and hence we should
feel unwilling to use it, were there any other title
by which we might intelligibly designate the
genus.
The sphere of action of these animals is amongst the branches and foliage of the dense forests that border the mighty rivers of South America. Their mode of progression is quite peculiar; as they cling to the horizontal or inclined branches with the back downward, and move onward in a style which may be compared to a feat that sailor-boys are fond of performing, going up the mainstay "hand over hand;" only that the Sloth uses all his limbs in the operation. Their food consists of the leaves of trees, with their buds and young shoots. To this singular mode of life the structure of the Sloths is adapted, with the same consummate wisdom and skill, that is manifest in all the other works of God.
The dentition of these animals is thus expressed —Inc. 00; can. 1—11—1; mol. 4—43—3; = 18. The molars are very simple, each consisting merely of a cylinder of bone, enveloped in enamel: their surfaces are hence always concave, the soft interior wearing faster than the enamel edge; and there are no folds or laminæ of this latter substance penetrating the body of the tooth, as in most other animals. The canines are of similar formation, but are pointed. The fore limbs are generally lengthened; to such a degree that in attempting to move on a plane surface the animal is compelled to rest on its elbows. The pelvis is very large, and hence
